Zwickey No Mercy single bevel sharpening

[Rock 'N Bow]

What is the best method of sharpening? I tried using a Lansky sharpener and a file and stone combination with a leather strop and still can't get them sharp. I've been using light pressure for hours and still not sharp enough. What method do you use?

[bigbadjon]

I had to sharpen some of these awhile back. It really wasn't a sharpening issue so much as it was establishing an edge. I used a Lansky guide to really get the edge flat. After that they sharpened up pretty easily, If you are having trouble i think it is because you have yet to establish a precise bevel.

[Rock 'N Bow]

I have established a precise 30 degree angle and noticed there was no burr after some time. Maybe I need to bring it down to 25 degrees. There is a mirror finish on the blades but they still aren't shaving hair. Is there a need to smooth out the non beveled side of the blade?

[stevem]

I'm single bevel sharpening challenged, but wanted to use them.  So I took the easy way out.  I purchased some Schik double edged razor blades, cut them down and glued them on- sticking about 1/8" past the broadhead. I think they are wicked.

[30coupe]

You need to get the non-beveled side flat before you can really sharpen the beveled side. The easiest is to lay it on your file and push into the teeth of the file. Don't drag it back and forth or you'll dull your file. Once you can see that you have that side flat (should be shiny all the way along the edge) you can file the bevel. Use light strokes and you should have a burr pretty quickly. I just lightly run the file down the flat side to remove most of the burr. Personally, I don't think you need a mirror finish on a broadhead. I just use a file with light pressure and I can make them pop hair, which is more than enough to do the job.

I haven't tried the No Mercys, but that's how I sharpen my Grizzlies. Once you get that back side flat, it's really pretty easy.

[jjwaldman]

The single bevel no mercy must be the hardest single bevel broadhead to sharpen, because of the way the broadhead is made.  I had to turn mine into a double bevel head.

[ChrisM]

I figured the way they are made with the triple lamination only on the end would make them a real pain.

[Bonebuster]

30coupe said it well....Once the non beveled side is flat, its just a matter of producing a burr along the entire edge of the beveled side and then as lightly as possible, removing the burr.

[Overspined]

ok, so here's the problem and solution as I spent a while figuring these out.  That said, I would never purchase or use the single bevel no mercy again.

Because they are 3 layers on the front third or so, there is the brazing between each layer.  On the single bevel, that means that the copper brazing actually ends up as part of the edge when you try and sharpen it. Guess what, brazing will never be sharp. So you have to really take off some metal and get through that brazing and down to the metal. I did this with a wet sharpening wheel, low rpm. It went ok, but takes a while. With a file, you will be working on this for way too long. The lansky course stone might do it, but you will have to really work at it too.

This used to be a bit of a problem with the grizzly heads too, when there was a step in the metal and it caused sharpening issues, they were careless with the brazing spill as well. Now the grizzly heads don't seem to have these problems.

Hope this helps.

[Birdbow]

If you go to the Braveheart website and look @ Tusker broadheads, there's a tutorial on how John from Tusker broadheads sharpens his SBs. That's how I do mine. Good luck with the No Mercys. I love them and have had good success with them.

[thunder1]

I've used the No Mercy for a few years now with great success. 30 coupe is right about how to get them Sharp.

[stalkin4elk]

No Mercy single bevel BHs are not in the same league as other single bevel BHs. I feel Zwickey makes a decent double bevel head for the money but they missed the boat on their attempt at single bevels IMHO.
Try some of the new Grizzly BHs for reasonable cost,precision machined,accurate,razor sharpenable,IMPRESSIVE killing projectiles...you won't regret it. You need to see them both side by side.
Some other single bevel Broadheads are also great but the price jumps big.

[Rock 'N Bow]

I think I will try the Grizzlies. The problem with the No Mercy is the laminated portion. There is no way I can get the non beveled side flat. I have had success with Abowyer heads but they don't make a 125-130gr head plus they are expensive. Thanks for the help and suggestions.

[Roughrider]

One of the things I like about single bevel heads is the sharpening ease.  I've used the Zwickeys, Abowyer and Grizzley.  I currently shoot the Grizzley, because I think it's the best for the money - for what my opinion is worth.

I'm not concerned about the brazing as a properly sharpened single bevel head the cutting edge will not be at the braze line.

Anyway, in sharpening any of them I start with a large bastard file and work the bevel edge until the grinding marks from manufacturing are gone.  I then work the bevel side on a medion diamond stone until the file marks are gone, with a few strokes to the "back" side to even it up and work off the burr.  Then finish up with a quality steel or stope - working a few strokes on each side of the blade.  Finish up with a light coating of beeswax, oil or petrolium jelly to protect the edge.

I lean the file into the back edge to put a small bevel and straight it up before I file the main bevel side. I finish with either a diamond hone and a leather strap for a shaving edge, or I take the corner of a Grizzly file and serrate it. Single bevels are deadly with a serrated edge in my experience.

[Dutchman]

I happened up on this thread just today. Was catching the devil with some No Mercy heads I'd picked up some time ago and finally gave up and went to an internet search and this is the first hit I got.

Thanks for the help guys. I really needed it.

[Tom1983]

I want to like the Zwickey heads, but they are very rough out of the package.  They take a LOT of effort to sharpen.

[Bamboozle]

I use a belt sander to set the bevels and smooth out that transition area.  I use double bevel, but no reason why it shouldn't work on single either.  Just make sure you a side for only 3 seconds and let it cool.  If doing a 6 pack, 3 seconds on one, set it aside then do another and so on and so on, then start back with the 1st one.

[Orion]

I like all the Zwickey (double bevel) heads, but the triple lamination design is not optimal for single bevels.  Not only do the triple thickness tips need to be sharpened on both sides, the main blade steel itself is rather thin, and most of the benefit of a single bevel is not realized as a result.  That being said, they certainly can be sharpened quite well and easily with a file.

[Tom1983]

A 1x30” sander works wonders.  The only way to fly.